The rest period of pecan in Egypt

Pecan trees cv. ‘Moneymaker’ and seedling trees growing in Northern Egypt were sprayed with dinitrocresol mineral oil emulsion, to test its effect on male and female flower bud growth, flowering and fruiting. The treatments had a stimulating effect on growth of male and female flower buds. The treated trees flowered from 1 to 3 weeks earlier than the control. Fruit drop was greatly reduced and, consequently, fruit yield was remarkably increased.     

Effects of fruit load on flower bud initiation and development in peach

Summary

This study aims to quantify the effects of fruit crop-load on flowering and to determine the relationships between flowering and phloem sap carbohydrate and nitrogen content fractions from budding to dormancy in ‘Zincal 5’ nectarine. Fruit load significantly reduced the number of flowers per tree both indirectly, by reducing the number of shoots per tree and the number of nodes per shoot, and directly, by reducing the number of floral buds per node. The intensity of the response depended on the number of fruits developed per tree. Trees that kept all fruits up to senescence flowered 35% less than trees thinned by hand to 40% of fruits at pit hardening, and 55% less than trees completely thinned in bloom by hand. Trees that kept all fruits had significantly lower glucose and sorbitol contents in the phloem sap of mixed branches up to harvest date and full vegetative growth, respectively, but no significant relationships were found between the concentrations of these carbohydrates and flowering intensity in the following Spring. Sucrose and fructose did not show any significant difference in regard to crop-load. In fibrous roots, starch content was not related to fruit load up to dormancy, indicating that starch content is not associated with flower bud induction and differentiation. The nitrate-nitrogen fraction was significantly higher, and the ammonium-nitrogen fraction was significantly lower, in trees that tended to flower less, suggesting some disturbance in nitrate reduction in these trees.     

Carbohydrate content of inflorescent buds of defruited and fruiting pistachio (Pistacia vera L) branches in relation to biennial bearing

Summary

Changes in carbohydrate content of inflorescent buds of fruiting and defruited branches of the same tree were measured in 1994 and 1995 in the period before and during bud abscission in pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Aegenes) to investigate its relationship to inflorescent bud abscission. HPLC was used for soluble sugar analysis, while starch was hydrolyzed to glucose enzymatically and the amount of glucose was then determined using the glucose oxidaseperoxidase method. The effect of fruit on leaf net photosynthesis (Pn), chlorophyll a and b (Chl (a+b)) in leaves and specific leaf weight (SLW) was also investigated in 1995. Starch concentration was initially similar in buds of fruiting and defruited branches but became greater in buds of defruited branches from early June 1994 (57 d after full bloom (AFB)) and 20 June 1995 (61 dAFB), resulting in higher starch contents. Glucose and fructose concentrations were similar in flower buds throughout the whole period of measurement; inositol and sucrose (the most abundant sugar in flower buds) both became much lower in fruiting branches from early July 1994 (83 dAFB) and mid July 1995 (88 dAFB). The rapid decrease in sucrose concentration coincided with rapid seed growth and the greatest period of bud abscission in fruiting branches. During the same period, total sugar and total carbohydrate concentrations and contents were greater in buds of defruited branches. The presence of fruit increased Chl (a+b) content in leaves while decreasing SLW between 43 and 61 dAFB. During this same period, leaf Pn rates were greater in fruiting shoots than in defruited ones.     

Simultaneous down-regulation of DORMANCY-ASSOCIATED MADS-box6 and SOC1 during dormancy release in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) flower buds

In temperate deciduous fruit crops such as Prunus spp., bud endodormancy is an important physiological phase affecting the timing of blooming and subsequent fruit development. Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) bears unmixed flower buds, separate from vegetative buds, that bloom slightly more than a month before vegetative bud burst. Seasonal expression of Prunus mume DORMANCY ASSOCIATED MADS-box genes (PmDAMs) has previously been analyzed only in vegetative buds, with an association between these genes and flower bud endodormancy release not yet confirmed. In this study, we performed a seasonal expression analysis of PmDAM1–6 genes in flower buds of two Japanese apricot genotypes – namely, high-chill and low-chill cultivars. The analysis revealed that PmDAM3, PmDAM5, and PmDAM6 expressions are closely associated with dormancy release in both flower and vegetative buds. In addition, a yeast two-hybrid screening demonstrated that PmDAM6 can interact in yeast with the homolog of Arabidopsis SOC1 (PmSOC1). Synchronized expression patterns were detected in PmDAM6 and PmSOC1 during dormancy release in flower buds of the two genotypes. Taken together, these results suggest that the dimer of PmDAM6 and PmSOC1 may play a role in the regulation of dormancy transition and blooming time in Japanese apricot flower buds.     

The effect of chilling,defoliation and hydrogen cyanamide on dormancy release,bud break and fruiting of Anna apple cultivar

The effect of defoliation (DEF) alone or combined with hydrogen cyanamide (HC) on dormancy state, fruit quality and yield of Anna apple cultivar was studied. Trees were manually defoliated on three successive dates, November 15th, December 1st and December 15th. The flower buds (FB) entered the endodormancy synchronized with vegetative buds (VB) for most of the treatments. Most of the treatments terminated endodormancy between January 27th and February 8th during the season 2004/2005 and between January 18th and February 8th during the season 2005/2006. The treatments were effective in dormancy release of FB and somewhat with VB. Defoliation on November 15th + HC recorded the lowest chilling accumulation needed to reach 50% bud break. All the treatments exceeded the control considering the percentage of flower (FBB) and vegetative bud break (VBB) either in the lab or at the field. Growing degree hours and the number of days required to reach each stage of fruiting were differed between the two studied seasons. The control and DEF on December 15th exceeded all the treatments regarding initial fruit set percentage (IFS). The defoliation treatments alone gave the highest yield (kg/tree). Defoliation + HC treatments gave the best fruit quality, while the control gave the least values.     

石灰氮和水杨酸对破除葡萄芽休眠的影响

 2003年12月～2004年3月, 在江苏省镇江市南山农业科技示范园葡萄园, 以藤稔品种为试材, 分别在树体的初休眠期(12月上旬) 、深休眠期( 1月上旬) 和休眠后期( 2月上旬) , 取芽体饱满、生长充实的1年生枝条, 用不同浓度的石灰氮(CaCN2 ) 和水杨酸( SA) 进行涂芽破眠处理; 之后放入温室进行发芽培养, 并每5 d取冬芽测定H2O2及其抗氧化酶系统的变化, 21 d后统计各处理最终萌芽率。结果表明: 施用CaCN2和SA能不同程度的提高H2O2含量和POD活性, 降低CAT活性; 但在不同休眠期对SOD活性的影响不一致。而破眠或促进萌芽效果好的化学药剂处理, 花芽在培养前期的H₂O₂含量、POD和SOD活性增幅较大, CAT活性下降较明显。对萌芽率的统计表明, 初休眠期施用石灰氮和水杨酸对葡萄破眠无效; 到深休眠期及以后施用25%的石灰氮对葡萄破眠效果较为明显, 萌芽较对照提前4～6 d, 最终萌芽率达41.6%～90.0%; 而水杨酸处理对葡萄花芽破眠基本无效。     

Strawberry fruit yield and quality responses to flower bud removal: A simulation of damage by strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi)

Summary

The effect of flower bud severing (with scissors) on the yield and fruit quality of strawberry (cv. Elsanta) grown on raised, polythene-mulched beds varied with plant size and numbers of flower buds per plant. On very small plants (with an average of seven flower buds and yielding 105 g of fruit per plant) severing reduced yield in direct proportion to the proportion of flower buds severed, irrespective of whether severing included or did not include removal of the primary (first node) flower bud. There was no evidence of crop compensation. On larger plants (with 24, 70 and 117 flower buds and yielding 0.34 kg, 0.73 kg and 1.16 kg of fruit per plant respectively) severing up to 12 buds per plant did not significantly affect yield: mean berry weight increased by up to 11% and the percentage fruit (by number) in quality class I increased from 67% to 72% in response to severing. Two mechanisms of yield compensation were, apparent i) an increase in mean berry weight, and ii) the maturing of alternative replacement flower buds. Severing slightly delayed by 1–2 d the date by when 10% and 25% of fruit was picked. Implications for the economic damage threshold for flower bud severing by the strawberry blossom weevil are discussed.     

化学脱叶对桃自然休眠的调控效应

以两年生曙光油桃为试材,研究不同时期不同化学物质的脱叶效果和打破休眠的效应,结果表明:8%NH4NO3的脱叶效果最好,但对树体有严重药害,综合考虑以8%尿素为优选脱叶试剂;化学脱叶使萌芽提早6~8d,但仅使花期提前2~4d日对叶芽的作用效果显著;化学脱叶明显降低了花芽碳水化合物含量、自然坐果率和花粉生活力,使花期延长,但对完全花比例无显著影响。     

设施“晚红”葡萄栽培果树破眠剂应用试验

在温室大棚栽培"晚红"葡萄的生产中,升温前1周,应用含50%单氰胺的果树破眠剂2号喷布葡萄冬芽芽眼。结果表明:应用果树破眠剂2号20倍液催芽,催芽效果好于石灰氮,萌芽期比涂抹石灰氮提前7d,花期提前6d,萌芽率提高16.2%,坐果率提高9.1%,可在生产中代替石灰氮应用。     

Relation of carbohydrate reserves with the forthcoming crop,flower formation and photosynthetic rate,in the alternate bearing ‘Salustiana’ sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.)

The aim of this work was to assess the relation between carbohydrate levels and flower and fruit production, as well as the role of carbohydrates on CO₂ fixation activity, by analysis of leaves, twigs and roots from the alternate bearing ‘Salustiana’ cultivar of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck). A heavy crop load (on year) did not affect photosynthesis activity when compared to non-fruiting trees (off year). Fruiting trees accumulated most of the fixed carbon in mature fruits, whilst no accumulation was observed in roots before harvest. Non-fruiting trees transported part of the fixed carbon to the roots and mobilize it for growth processes and, at the end of the season (December), store it as reserves. Reserve carbohydrates accumulation in leaves started by early December for both tree types, showing the same levels in on and off trees until spring bud sprouting. A heavy flowering after an off year caused the rapid mobilization of the stored reserves, which were exhausted at full bloom. We found no evidence on carbon fixation regulation by either fruit demand or carbohydrate levels in leaves. Carbohydrate reserves played little or no role over fruit set, which actually relied on current photosynthesis.     

油桃开花时间调控基因在花芽休眠过程中的表达分析

对拟南芥中21个调控开花时间的基因进行NCBI blast比对后找到桃中所对应的同源基因,以拟南芥的突变体表型及基因注释功能为依据分为促进开花和抑制开花两类。以7年生‘曙光’油桃花芽为试材,利用水培法测定萌芽率,界定休眠分为诱导期、自然休眠期和休眠解除期3个阶段。研究结果表明诱导期和自然休眠期内花芽单芽质量上升平缓,休眠解除后突然升高到0.12 g,翌年2月9日达到0.15 g;而花芽含水量从诱导期开始缓慢下降,在休眠解除时达到最低水平（39%）,之后平稳上升到53%。聚类分析发现,两类基因对开花的影响与其在休眠进程中的表达趋势不存在必然的相关性。利用荧光定量PCR（RT-PCR）技术测定目的基因在休眠过程中的表达特性,发现在休眠进程（自然休眠和休眠解除期）中PpFT-like和PpCO-like表达量逐渐升高,推测其可能与需冷量积累相关。PpDDL-like、PpCCT-like、PpELF8-like、PpAMP1-like、PpHUA2-like和PpHUB1-like表达量先升高后降低,在休眠解除时达到最高水平之后随休眠解除下降,与花芽休眠解除进程一致,推测其可能参与调控花芽休眠解除过程。     

Changes in endogenous ABA level in relation to the dormancy cycle in grapevines grown in a hot climate

Summary

In warm-winter regions, the need for artificial means to compensate for the lack of natural chilling becomes a dominant factor for maintaining economic production of table grapes. However, in the absence of a reliable method of predicting the time of natural bud break, the application of the dormancy breaking agent hydrogen cyanamide (HC) entails the risk of serious bud damage if the application is mistimed. In several studies in temperate regions, concentrations of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) were found to increase as the grape buds entered dormancy, and to decrease during winter months towards dormancy release. To assess the possibility of using bud ABA content as a marker for the stage of bud dormancy in grapevines grown in hot regions, we evaluated the dormancy depth of grape buds in the course of the dormancy cycle and monitored their endogenous ABA content in cv. Perlette vines grown in the Jordan Valley. The endogenous ABA content was highest at maximum dormancy. However, the decline in ABA content was not correlated with dormancy release. The involvement of ABA in dormancy induction and maintenance is discussed.     

影响南京甜樱桃坐果的关键时期

研究不同生育期的生态条件对甜樱桃花芽分化和坐果的影响,确定导致南京地区（年均温 > 15 ℃）甜樱桃坐果率低的关键时期,将郑州的一部分4年生盆栽结果甜樱桃运至南京生长1年后,然后将郑州和南京两地的盆栽苗分别在落叶期、休眠结束后进行双向位置交换,采用石蜡切片法观察花芽和胚囊形态发育,并在果实着色期观察坐果率。结果显示：全生育期在郑州、落叶期由郑州运至南京、休眠结束后由郑州运至南京、全生育期在南京、落叶后由南京运至郑州的‘早红宝石’甜樱桃坐果率分别为38.2%、14.7%、12.9%、8.9%和31.7%;无胚囊的比例分别为41.5%、55.6%、57.7%、74.5%和50.0%;全生育期在郑州和落叶后由郑州运至南京休眠结束后再运回郑州的甜樱桃‘萨米脱’的坐果率分别为13.9%和18.8%。结果表明：影响南京地区甜樱桃坐果的关键时期应是春季开花坐果期;而对于一些能满足需冷量的品种,休眠期对坐果率的影响不大;夏季花芽分化期的高温影响花芽分化进程及分化质量。     

几种化学药剂对破除葡萄与桃自然休眠的效果

以桃、葡萄为试材,探讨多种化学药剂和外源生长调节剂打破休眠的效应。结果表明:CaCN2打破葡萄的休眠效果稳定,可使萌芽提早6～17d,并提高萌芽率,其破眠效果随需冷量的增加而显著;几种化学药剂在桃树上应用,其打破休眠的效果差异较大,CaCN2、NH4NO3对打破桃休眠无效,硫脲的破眠效果最明显,可使叶芽萌发提前9～12d、花芽6d,并提高萌芽率;KNO3对破除休眠亦有一定效果。外源生长调节剂对休眠的调节作用因调节剂种类、浓度和使用时间而异:Ze(50mg/L)+GA3(100mg/L)可完全打破叶芽的休眠,100mg/L6-BA对尚未完成自然休眠的花芽萌发有明显的促进作用,IAA和2,4-D却对芽的萌发表现出强烈的抑制作用。     

Physiology of flowering and dormancy regulation in annual- and biennial-fruiting red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) – a review

Summary

Recent research on how the structure and physiological development of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) plants are controlled by genotype and the climatic environment is reviewed. Some older work, especially on plant structure relations, is also included. Physiological differences between annual- and biennial-fruiting plant types are highlighted. One major difference is the different requirements for flower formation. While biennial-fruiting cultivars have an absolute low temperature (≤ approx. 15°C) requirement for floral initiation, annual-fruiting cultivars readily initiate floral primordia at temperatures as high as a constant 30°C. Also, while biennial-fruiting cultivars are facultative short-day plants with a critical photoperiod of 15 h at intermediate temperatures, flowering is promoted by long photoperiods in at least some annual-fruiting cultivars. However, the essential difference that determines whether the shoot life-cycle becomes annual or biennial is that, in biennial-fruiting genotypes, floral initiation is linked to the induction of bud dormancy; whereas, in annual-fruiting cultivars, floral initiation is followed by direct flower development. Although this is genetically determined, it is a plastic trait that is subject to modification by the environment. Thus, at low temperatures and under short photoperiods, the majority of initiated buds also enter dormancy in annual-fruiting cultivars, with tip-flowering as a result. Practical applications are discussed, and it is concluded that our present physiological knowledge-base provides excellent opportunities for the manipulation of raspberry crops for out-of-season production and high yields. It also provides a firm platform for further exploration of the underlying molecular genetics of plant structures and response mechanisms.     

内源ABA和GA3对欧洲甜樱桃花芽自然休眠的调控

 以8年生欧洲甜樱桃为试材，采用液相色谱法分析了自然休眠期间花芽内源GA₃，和ABA含量变化及相关环境因子的影响。结果表明，休眠期间，花芽ABA含量呈先升后降的趋势，11月上句达顶峰。GA₃含量变化与其相反，休眠初期急剧下降，11月下旬达最低谷，休眠解除期间含量不断上升。ABA/GA₃随休眠加深而升高，随休眠解除而不断降低。低温5℃显著增加了GA₃含量，降低了ABA含量，使ABA降低和GA₃升高的时间提前，较对照提早解除休眠。高温(20℃)则具有相反的作用，变温(5/20℃)处理对休眠解除有一定作用，但由于高温(20℃)对休眠解除的抵消作用，其破眠效果不如持续低温(50℃)处理明显。落叶前遮荫处理使GA₃ 含量稍有降低，但对ABA影响不大。长光周期处理促进了GA₃的合成，抑制了ABA的生成，从而抑制了休眠，而短光周期处理显著提高了ABA的含量，降低了GA₃ 的含量。     

The Effect of Partial Defoliation at Different Times in the Season on Fruit Drop and Shoot Growth in Lord Lambourne Apple Trees

Six-branched trees were deblossomed on alternate branches and various defoliation treatments given. For the period of 7 to 30 days from the time of treatment, defoliations increased the compound-interest rates of fruit drop. After this period these rates of drop became equal to those of untreated trees and the relative differences in crop numbers established by this time persisted until harvest though the actual numbers still fell. The earlier in the season that the defoliations were applied the greater were the relative differences. The removal of spur leaves from branches bearing fruit caused greater drop than the removal of spur leaves from neighbouring deblossomed branches. The removal of leaves from extension and bourse shoots of fruiting or deblossomed branches had no significant effect upon fruit drop or shoot growth.

The removal of all flowers from alternate branches at mouse-ear caused more shoots to grow from these branches than from branches allowed to fruit. Removal, at pink bud, of spur leaves from either fruiting or non-fruiting branches increased the number of shoots on both branches, but removal deferred till later in the season had no effect.     

扁桃的开花结实特性

新疆3个扁桃品种在河北省保定生长正常,以毛桃为砧木的2年生树即能形成花芽并结果;花器发育正常,花药内花粉数量多,有正常的发育能力;供试品种自花结实率为0或极低,属异花结实类型;新疆扁桃能在各类结果枝上形成花芽熏但以中、短结果枝结果为主,3月下旬至4月上旬开花,有两次落花落果高峰,结果初期坐果率低,均在10%以下;果实及种子发育正常,果实8月下旬到9月上旬成熟,平均果实干重3.54g,种子(包括内果皮和种仁)干重2.05g,种仁干重0.91g,出仁率为44.4%。